The Parish is the most ancient type of local government unit in Europe and in England has been used for some civil purposes since the eighth century.

Parish Councils and Parish Meetings were founded by the Local Government Act of 1894 and brought about the separation of local civil government from the Church. Since then power has derived from a number Acts of Parliament.

Anyone who is aged 21 years or over, is a British subject, a citizen of the Commonwealth, a citizen of the Irish Republic or the European Union and is either an elector or works in the Parish or lives within 3 miles of the Parish is entitled to stand as a Parish Councillor.

There are two methods of becoming a Parish Councillor, the first is to be elected at the four yearly elections and the second method is to be co-opted to fill a vacancy. Once elected, all Councillors are required to sign an ‘Acceptance of Office’ which is witnessed by the ‘Proper Officer’ for the Parish Council.

Being a Parish Councillor gives you an opportunity to be involved in all decisions of importance in the Parish. It gives the opportunity to be involved in local and strategic planning for many facets of life. Being a Parish Councillor means you are nearest to the people whom you represent and upon whom you have levied a precept. The role of councillor brings no special privileges other than the satisfaction of serving your local community.

The Role of the Clerk

Just as Parish Councils are a tier of Local Government, the Clerk to the Parish Council is an officer of Local Government. The Clerk guides the Council on points of law and procedure and is the person to whom all correspondence is addressed. The Clerk calls all meetings, except the Annual Parish Meeting, maintains the records, pays invoices and maintains accounts, and conducts correspondence.

Notice of Meetings

Three clear days notice must be given of all meetings with a summons to all Councillors to include the date, time and venue of the meeting with an agenda specifying in detail the business to be transacted. Similar notices must be displayed on public notice boards in the Parish. Members of the public are entitled to attend Parish Council meetings, committee and sub committee meetings although they may not take part in the proceedings.

Today’s Parish Council

Newton Longville Parish Council has responsibilities for local issues such as the Burial Ground, Allotments and other open spaces, Hammond Park, Street Lighting, the Village Newsletter and also has a consultative role in local planning issues.

The Parish Council levies a ‘Precept’ on all households in the Village, which is collected through the Council Tax by Aylesbury Vale District Council.

Elections for the current Parish Council were held on 3rd May 2007 and the following Councillors were elected to serve for a term of four years.

Josephine Bromley

David Norris

Tim Welch

Richard Dannan

Barbara Foord

The Chairman of the Council, who is elected on an annual basis, is currently Councillor David Norris.

The Clerk to the Council is Mrs Jan Pickup and the address for all correspondence should be addressed as follows;

Longueville Hall

This modern community building opened in 2000 and owned by the Parish Council caters for a wide spectrum of community activities. Newton Longville Community Association manages the Hall on a day to day basis.

More details about the hall can be viewed by clicking here.

Newton Longville’s quarterly magazine is distributed to every household in the Village free of charge and copies are also available from the Post Office and other local shops.

Items of local interest are welcome for publication and should be sent to,